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As it happenedended

Cohen testimony: Trump’s ex-lawyer claims ‘criminal conspiracy’ and gives dire warning to Congress in public testimony

Cohen said he is worried that there will 'never be another peaceful transfer of power' if Mr Trump loses re-election in 2020

Clark Mindock
New York
Wednesday 27 February 2019 23:10 GMT
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Michael Cohen says he cannot discuss that last contact he had with Trump, as it is being investigated by the Southern District of New York

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Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s ex-lawyer, has given dramatic testimony before the House Oversight Committee, were he discussed a criminal conspiracy involving the president, his oldest son Donald Trump Jr, and the chief financial officer of the Trump Organisation, Allen Weisselberg — and then cast the president as an existential threat to American democracy.

During one particularly notable exchange, Cohen was asked by Democratic Representative Ro Khanna about a cheque making a payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, which he called a "smoking gun" that proves several individuals were involved in the conspiracy.

"Are you telling us, Mr Cohen, that the president directed transactions in conspiracy with Allen Weisselberg and his son, Donald Trump Jr, as part of a criminal conspiracy of financial fraud?" Mr Khanna asked in relation to the cheque. "Is that your testimony today?"

"Yes," Cohen said.

Cohen, who will serve a three year prison sentence starting in May, said during his testimony that he believes the US is at a critical juncture in its history. Mr Trump, a man who Cohen once said he would take a bullet for, is a threat to American democracy, he said.

"If he loses the [2020] election, I worry there would never be a peaceful transition of power," he said.

Throughout his hours-long testimony on Wednesday, Cohen said that he is remorseful for ever allowing himself to end up in Mr Trump's inner circle. Cohen, who worked as the president's private attorney for a decade said that he had caused considerable damage to his family and reputation — and repeatedly apologised even as Republicans questioned why they should believe his testimony given he pleaded guilty to lying to Congress once before already.

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“I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr Trump’s illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience,” Cohen said.

Cohen also suggested that the president was aware that political consultant Roger Stone was in discussion with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange about the site’s access to stolen Democratic National Committee emails.

The president's former personal attorney said that he was in a room when Mr Stone told Mr Trump about the leaks, and that nobody made an effort to contact the FBI regarding those leaks.

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Representative Jim Jordan is pressing Cohen on why he did not set the record straight after Buzzfeed reported that the special counsel's office had been told by Cohen that the president instructed him personally to lie.

Cohen said he did not view correcting the record his responsibility.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 17:30

Cohen says he is in front of Congress to talk about the president, not to discuss his taxes.

He says "not one question so far has been asked about Mr Trump".

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 17:31

Representative Gerald Connolly is now up, asking about emails from May of 2017 related to the president.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 17:34

Cohen says that he spoke to Donald Trump before his previous testimony.

He says the president told him there was no collusion, and that the investigation is a witch hunt.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 17:35

Cohen says that Mr Trump's statements that there is no Russia collusion had a clear message: To lie to Congress.

The president did not specifically tell him to lie, however.

"He doesn't tell you what he wants," Cohen said, noting that there was no explicit order. "I know what he wants".

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 17:37

Cohen lost his law license yesterday, he says, and has been criticised for that frequently. Representative Jim Jordan has asked him how often he gave Donald Trump bad legal advice. Cohen said he does not have an answer to that question.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 17:41

Cohen is being asked about nondisclosure agreements. He says the Trump Organization often used such disclosures.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 17:43

Cohen says that Trump Organization nondisclosure agreements were designed to be broad, and to silence people.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 17:45

Cohen says he is not sure if others might be holding back from coming forward to tell their stories about Donald Trump for fear of violating nondisclosure agreements.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 17:46

Cohen says "yes" when asked if he is aware of any further wrongdoing by Donald Trump, but says he can't discuss them because those matters are under investigation.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 17:46

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